51吃瓜

Kazakhstan has made a significant stride in technological innovation with the successful fabrication of its first locally designed microchip, a milestone signalling the nation’s ambition to establish a presence in the global semiconductor industry.

Developed by researchers from Nazarbayev University (NU), a leading research university in Central Asia, the microchip emerged from an international partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Beijing Institute of Open Source Chip. 

“This is a foundational step, a trailblazing path into the semiconductor industry,” says Nursultan Kabylkas, a professor at Nazarbayev University and founder of TEXER.AI. He emphasises that the microchip was not created for commercial purposes but as a critical learning experience. This achievement reflects more than just technical capability – it highlights a growing ecosystem of innovation rooted in academic excellence. 

“Developing and testing the processor took us about three months. We already had simpler prototypes, so adaptation was swift. The fabrication process, handled by our partners, was the most time-consuming phase. We were fortunate to integrate our design into their production, which allowed us to fabricate the chip without incurring the significant costs typically associated with this process,” says Kabylkas, adding that chip fabrication is known for its high costs – reaching up to $100,000 (?75,000) for test chips alone.

The team behind this achievement comprises motivated young specialists – NU students alongside graduates who continue to work in the lab. The environment at NU, featuring over 130 research laboratories, including more than 70 labs dedicated to engineering and technical sciences, has been pivotal in supporting this effort. As a research institution, NU also encourages undergraduates to join many existing research teams led by esteemed professors.

Currently, the processor is best suited for automated devices like programmable logic controllers, where reliability is prioritised over high performance. “This collaboration holds profound significance. It marks the completion of Kazakhstan’s first locally designed CPU [central processing unit] chip, while also representing the first successful international cooperation under the One Student One Chip initiative. This successful collaboration has been made possible by open-source technology,” says Yungang Bao, deputy director and professor at the Institute of Computing Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Looking ahead, the research group aims to develop electronic design automation tools to streamline the design and verification of electronic devices and microprocessors. “Designing a microprocessor is an intricate, resource-intensive process,” Kabylkas explains. “Yet, creating this chip demonstrates that Kazakhstan can cultivate fabless companies focusing on architectural innovation without costly fabrication facilities. We are deepening our expertise in design automation and verification, creating tools to help engineers work more efficiently.”

As the first microchip designed in Kazakhstan becomes a reality, it symbolises not only a country-wide achievement but also a step towards integrating Kazakhstan into the global semiconductor industry. With sustained investment, collaboration and research, Kazakhstan could become a player in this competitive field, and Nazarbayev University stands at the forefront of this transformation.